Lairy wins bid for father's Senate seat

Voters in the 16th Senate District decided to keep it in the family Tuesday.

Clay County Prosecutor Angela Turner Lairy defeated Kenny Fowler in a landslide sweep to fill the seat vacated by father, Sen. Bennie Turner, who died in November.

According to the Associated Press, Lairy had 4,143 votes, or 71 percent, of the vote. Fowler had 1,705 votes, or 29 percent. The results are unofficial until they are certified by Clay County Circuit Clerk Bob Harrell.

Turner, who died Nov. 27 at the age of 64, had represented the 16th District since it was created in 1997. The district serves portions of Clay, Lowndes, Noxubee and Oktibbeha counties. He was a partner in Turner and Associates law firm in West Point. He was the former owner of WACR radio station and the current owner of WTWG AM radio. He also was past president of the Clay County Bar Association and the Magnolia Bar Foundation Inc. Turner had served on the state Board of Bar Admissions and was past president of the National Association of Black Broadcasters.

On Wednesday, Lairy said her win was a bittersweet victory.

"The circumstances surrounding the election have certainly been difficult," Lairy said. "But I am looking forward to being sworn in and taking over the duties with due diligence."

It is not yet known when Lairy will be sworn in.

Voters from Clay County and the area will also be going back to the polls to elect a replacement for Rep. David Gibbs, who died Sunday. A special election date has not been set by Gov. Phil Bryant.